reformat my computer?

i have no problem at all with "reformatting or reinstalling", if it will get rid of the problem i am all for it! i just need to know for sure if it will eliminate the virus. does this proccess eliminate all viruses 100%? my dell studio 17 laptop has a feature that allows me to "restore the laptop to factory settings" is this what u mean by reformatting? or is this what sam43 meant when he said "system restore"? I honestly could care less if i lose my hard drive data, i dont have much anyway. I just need my computer working again as quick as possible! i would really appreciate some insight on how to reformat my computer, thanks!

There is a good walk through for reformat and reinstalling Win XP here, I suggest you read it carefully before you start the process.

http://lifehacker.com/software/windows/gee...atch-157578.php



Merged this post and the one above to this topic from the one discussing the infection originally posted in XP. ~ OB

hi, i am looking for some advice on "reformatting" my computer.
i have recently been plauged with a virus, and i am sick of wasting time trying to get rid of it.
will reformatting my computer delete all malware, viruses, and spyware? or are there some that can avoid this?
my dell studio 17 laptop has a function that "restores the computer to factory settings", is this reformatting? or do i need to do something else?
i know i will lose my data but i really dont care i just need my computer running right again as soon as possible.

These are my questions:

1. Will "reformatting" my computer guarantee that the virus is eliminated?

2.If so, how to i go about reformatting my computer?

3. also, i have two programs that i have purchased online, and i would like to make sure they dont get deleted, what is the best way of making sure i dont lose these programs?

I dont know much about this process, except that i will lose all my data on my main hard drive, which is a price i am willing to pay if i can get rid of this dam virus!

Any information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

Do you know how to use the function that will restores the computer to factory settings? If not, let us know as someone could help you with that. Doing that is how you would go about reformatting and it should take care of the viruses but you could also try using the Windows feature of System Restore first. That would take you computer back to a previously saved point on your computer so that you don't lose your programs and such. You can find that at...

Start>Programs>Accessories>System Restore.

Then choose "Restore my computer to an earlier date" select a date before you got the virus, click next and let it restore your computer. The virus could prevent you from doing that though but it is worth a try.

If you do restore the computer back to factory setting, you will need to reinstall those programs so make sure you back up the file you downloaded to install them and have your license keys to them.

If you cannot back up those program install files it is possible that you can redownload them as long you have the product code, or license key, for when you install them, especially if you have your order number from when you purchased them. Most places will let you redownload them with proof of purchase.

Will "reformatting" my computer guarantee that the virus is eliminated?

More than likely, yes

If so, how to i go about reformatting my computer?

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/glo...lang=en&cs=

also, i have two programs that i have purchased online, and i would like to make sure they dont get deleted, what is the best way of making sure i dont lose these programs?

As long as you still have the programs installation key you can download it again.
It's best to double-check their support site